Bradley Manning Movie Already in the Works

July 30, 2013|Stuart Oldham | Variety

Hollywood is already planning a movie about WikiLeaks whistleblower Bradley Manning, who was found not guilty of "aiding the enemy" on Tuesday for his role in one of the biggest intelligence leaks in U.S. history.

Oscar-winning documaker Alex Gibney and producer Marc Shmuger, the filmmakers behind acclaimed Sundance documentary "We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks," last year optioned the rights to Denver Nicks' book "Private: Bradley Manning, WikiLeaks, and the Biggest Exposure of Official Secrets in American History." and are currently looking for writers to adapt the story into a dramatic feature film,

"I hope that Judge Lind will be lenient in her sentence, taking into consideration Manning's intent, his willingness to take responsibility for his actions, and the outrageously abusive treatment he has received at the hands of the Obama Administration," Gibney said in response to the Manning verdict on Tuesday.

Gibney and Shmuger's film is one of many high-profile WikiLeaks projects targeted in Hollywood.

"The Bradley Manning story is easily one of the most important stories of the last decade," said 'Bradley Manning' author Denver Nicks in a recent interview. "In many ways, Bradley Manning story is the story of the United States in the post 9/11 era."

Manning, who was found not guilty of the most serious espionage charge on Tuesday, was convicted on several lesser counts and still faces over 100 years in prison.